Fresno RIPA Data Project
Descriptive Analysis
Catalyst California
04 September, 2024
Before engaging in a detailed analysis of Fresno PD patrol activity as outlined in the research plan, we created this descriptive analysis to explore overall trends in the Fresno Police Department (PD) RIPA data. This helps us determine if our expected findings are likely to show up in the data and allows us to identify any trends we did not expect. We include basic tallies on each of the following:
- Overview of officer-initiated stops and calls for service
- Demographics of people stopped by Fresno PD
- A deep dive into traffic stops
- Results of officer-initiated stops
- Time spent on different types of stops
Stops overview
Officer-initiated stops versus calls for service
In 2022, there were a total of 5,317 police stops made by Fresno PD. Of those stops, 5,028 were officer-initiated stops and 289 were calls for service.
In 2022, 94.6% of Fresno PD stops were officer initiated stops while only 5.4% of stops were calls for service.
People stopped for officer-initiated stops
In 2022, Fresno PD stopped a total of 5,060 people through officer-initiated stops.
Demographics
Fresno City population demographics
The majority of people living in Fresno City are Latinx. Additionally, one in four people in Fresno are White. RIPA and census data often group all Asian subgroups into a larger ‘Asian’ category. However, there is also a diverse Asian community in Fresno. The largest Asian subgroup in Fresno is Hmong followed by Filipino. Asian Indians also make up one of the largest groups though in RIPA data, South Asians are grouped with SWANA.
Perceived race of people stopped
Over half of the people Fresno PD stopped were people they perceived as Latinx. For reference, about 50.5% of Fresno City’s total population is Latinx. As a comparison, 11.3% of people that Fresno PD stopped were people officers perceived as Black, while only 6.2% of Fresno City’s total population is Black.
Perceived age of people stopped
Individuals aged 25-34 experienced the highest numbers of officer-initiated stops by Fresno PD in the year 2022.
Perceived gender of people stopped
In 2022, people perceived by Fresno PD as men (males) accounted for nearly 57% of all officer-initiated stops.
Perceived race and age group
In all age groups under 55 years old, individuals Fresno PD perceived as Latinx made up nearly 50% or more of total officer-initiated stops. For reference, 50.5% of the total population in Fresno City is Latinx. By comparison, 6.2% of the total population in Fresno City is Black, and 6.1% of the total population is SWANA/SA. In most age groups, individuals perceived by Fresno PD as Black made up a higher percent of Fresno PD’s officer-initiated stops, exceeding their proportion relative to Fresno’s general population.
In 2022, individuals perceived as White within the age groups of 55-64 and 65 and older were the most frequently stopped during officer-initiated stops. White individuals may make up a higher share of the total population in these age groups in Fresno. White individuals make up 25.4% of Freno City’s population.
Perceived age by race and gender
In 2022, people perceived as men (males) were the most frequently stopped group across most age and race combinations. Latinx men ages 18-34, followed by Latinx women ages 25-34, had the highest number of stops by Fresno PD during officer-initiated stops.
In 2022, Latinx men ages 17 and under comprised more than 40% of people stopped under the age of 17. Similarly, Latinx men ages 18-24 made up about 37% of people stopped between the ages of 18-24.
Stop Reasons
The following explores the most common reasons for officer-initiated stops in 2022. Traffic violations are the overwhelming majority of officer-initiated stops that Fresno PD made in 2022, exceeding more than what is seen in other police jurisdictions in California. For this reason, we explore traffic stops more in depth as its own section.
Officer-initiated stops by stop reason
Fresno PD makes an overwhelming majority of their officer-initiated stops for traffic violations. In 2022, Over 99% of people stopped by Fresno PD officers were stopped due to a perceived traffic violation.
Reported Stop Reason | # of People Stopped | % of All People Stopped |
|---|---|---|
Traffic violation | 5,023 | 99.27% |
Reasonable suspicion | 21 | 0.42% |
Knowledge of outstanding arrest/wanted person | 9 | 0.18% |
Consensual encounter resulting in search | 4 | 0.08% |
Parole/probation/PRCS/ mandatory supervision | 3 | 0.06% |
Traffic Stops
This section dives deeper into officer-initiated traffic stops made by Fresno PD in 2022, given that traffic stops make up the overwhelming majority of all stops that Fresno PD made in that year.
Traffic stops by race and gender
People perceived as Black by Fresno PD are stopped for traffic at disproportionately high rates relative to the total Black population in Fresno city.
Within traffic stops of each perceived racial group, those who Fresno PD perceived as male are stopped at higher rates than those Fresno PD perceived as female across all BIPOC groups. The gender disparity in traffic stops is highest for individuals perceived SWANA/SA, with individuals perceived as male and SWANA/SA being stopped a much higher rate than individuals perceived as female and SWANA/SA.
Note that the graph below filters for perceived racial groups that had 10 or more people stopped in traffic stops, and perceived gender groups that had at least a 1% rate for officer-initiated traffic stops in 2022.
Traffic stops by type
Fresno PD made close to 4,000 traffic stops of moving vehicles in 2022, which represented more than three-quarters of their total stops for traffic violations. That means the remaining 25% of all traffic stops were made for equipment and non-moving traffic stops. Of the other quarter of vehicles that were stopped, 15% were stopped for equipment violations, while 8% were stopped for non-moving violations.
Traffic stops by stop reason
The analyses below show the top stop reasons for each of the three different types of traffic stops: equipment traffic stops, non-moving traffic stops, and moving traffic stops.
Equipment traffic stop reasons
The table below shows the ten most common stop reasons for equipment traffic stops.
Traffic Violation | # of Times Recorded | % of Total Equipment Traffic Stops |
|---|---|---|
OPR VEH:WINDOW OBSTRUCTED | 331 | 44.67% |
FAIL MAINT VEH LITE EQUIP | 54 | 7.29% |
DISPLAY LIC PLATES WRONG | 54 | 7.29% |
INADEQUATE MUFFLERS | 39 | 5.26% |
BIKE HEADLIGHT/ETC VIOL | 39 | 5.26% |
EXPIRED TABS/FAIL DISPLAY | 27 | 3.64% |
NO REG:VEH/TRAILER/ETC | 26 | 3.51% |
FAIL MAINT LIC PLATE LAMP | 24 | 3.24% |
NO REG:VEH/TRAILER/ETC | 21 | 2.83% |
DRIVE WITHOUT LIGHTS:DARK | 20 | 2.70% |
Non-moving traffic stop reasons
There are heavy inconsistencies in Fresno PD’s classification of traffic stops as “non-moving.” Of the 10 most common offenses reported as reasons for non-moving traffic stops, six of them also appear in the 10 most common reasons for equipment-related stops, while two also appear in the list of most common reasons for moving stops.
Traffic Violation | # of Times Recorded | % of Total Non-moving Traffic Stops |
|---|---|---|
NO REG:VEH/TRAILER/ETC | 271 | 66.75% |
NO REG:VEH/TRAILER/ETC | 31 | 7.64% |
OPR VEH:WINDOW OBSTRUCTED | 28 | 6.90% |
EXPIRED TABS/FAIL DISPLAY | 24 | 5.91% |
UNLAW DIRCT DRV OPR/HWY | 8 | 1.97% |
USE CELLPH W/DRIV W/O HFD | 7 | 1.72% |
PED AGAINST NO WALK SIGN | 4 | 0.99% |
DISPLAY LIC PLATES WRONG | 4 | 0.99% |
SHO ON VEH/GIV PO FLS DOC | 3 | 0.74% |
UNREG CA BASED VEHICLE | 3 | 0.74% |
Moving traffic stop reasons
Of the 3,876 moving vehicles stopped for suspected traffic violations by Fresno PD in 2022, over three-quarters were stopped for speeding.
Traffic Violation | # of Times Recorded | % of Total Moving Traffic Stops |
|---|---|---|
UNSAFE SPEED:PREVAIL COND | 3,027 | 78.10% |
USE CELLPH W/DRIV W/O HFD | 159 | 4.10% |
NO HND HLD DEVICE W/DRIVE | 142 | 3.66% |
FAIL STOP LINE/ETC AT RED | 74 | 1.91% |
DRIVER FAIL OBEY SIGN/ETC | 69 | 1.78% |
FAIL STOP VEH:XWALK/ETC | 67 | 1.73% |
SEATBELT VIOLATION | 39 | 1.01% |
PED FAIL OBEY TRAFIC SIGN | 14 | 0.36% |
UNSAF TURN &/OR NO SIGNAL | 14 | 0.36% |
EXCEED SPEED ON HIGHWAY | 14 | 0.36% |
Traffic stop reasons by race
Within traffic stops that were made by Fresno PD, the most common cited reason is driving at an unsafe speed. However, people perceived as Asian or Black are stopped in traffic stops for a reason of ‘No vehicle registration’ at higher rates compared to other groups. People perceived as Latinx were stopped because of an obstruction in vehicle window at higher rates than other groups. Traffic stops made for reasons such as vehicle registration do not advance public safety. Traffic stops made for these type of reasons may indicate that profiling is occurring.
Note that the graphs below filter out perceived racial groups where less than 10 people were stopped in traffic stops by Fresno PD in 2022.
Traffic stops made for driving without license citation
The Fresno PD only stopped 9 people in 2022 for driving without a license.
Traffic stops by result of stop
Across all three types of officer-initiated traffic stops (Equipment, Moving, Non-moving), a citation for infraction is the most common stop result. Equipment and non-moving traffic stops are more likely to result in only a warning verbal or written compared to moving traffic stops.
Traffic stops by result and perceived race
The graph below shows, across all traffic stop types (moving, equipment, non-moving), what percentage of stops resulted in a citation for infraction, in-field cite and release, or warning verbal or written across each perceived race group.
Note that the graphs filter out perceived racial groups where less than 10 people were stopped in traffic stops in 2022.
Individuals Fresno PD perceived as Latinx and Black are stopped for traffic stops resulting only in a warning verbal or written at higher rates than individuals Fresno PD perceived as White.
Most common citations that resulted from traffic stop
Unsafe driving speed is the most common citation result from a traffic stop. Obstructed vehicle window and vehicle registration citations are the next most common citation results from a traffic stop. Diving deeper into the different types of citations given during traffic stops is important to understand whether or not traffic stops are being made for safety reasons.
Offense Code | Offense Statute | Statute | Total | Count | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
54106 | 22350 | UNSAFE SPEED:PREVAIL COND | 4,635 | 2,656 | 57.3 |
54571 | 26708(A)(1) | OPR VEH:WINDOW OBSTRUCTED | 4,635 | 354 | 7.6 |
54657 | 4000(A)(1) | NO REG:VEH/TRAILER/ETC | 4,635 | 307 | 6.6 |
54107 | 12500(A) | DRIVE W/O LICENSE | 4,635 | 283 | 6.1 |
54566 | 23123(A) | USE CELLPH W/DRIV W/O HFD | 4,635 | 150 | 3.2 |
54655 | 23123.5(A) | NO HND HLD DEVICE W/DRIVE | 4,635 | 131 | 2.8 |
54101 | 16028(A) | FAIL PROVE FIN RSP:PO REQ | 4,635 | 106 | 2.3 |
Traffic stops resulting in citations by race
Latinx people are least likely to be given a citation for speeding, but are more likely to be charged with driving without a license and window obstruction. People perceived as Black and Latinx by Fresno PD are stopped in traffic stops and given a citation for driving without a license at higher rates than all other groups.
In general, people perceived as Black are disproportionately stopped in traffic stops and given a citation relative to how many Black people live in Fresno city. Out of all people stopped in traffic stops and given a citation, 11.1% were people Fresno PD perceived as Black, yet Black people make up 6.2% of Fresno city’s total population.
The graph below gives more detail into traffic citations given as a result of a traffic stop. It shows the top three traffic citation results for each perceived race.
Traffic stops resulting in driving without license citation
People Fresno PD perceive as Latinx and Black are stopped in traffic stops and given a citation for driving without a license at higher rates than other groups. Of the Latinx people officers stopped and cited, nearly 1 in 10 were given citations for driving without a license.
Race | Total | Count | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
Latinx | 2,399 | 217 | 9.0 |
Black | 522 | 38 | 7.3 |
Asian | 192 | 9 | 4.7 |
White | 1,165 | 40 | 3.4 |
SWANA/SA | 349 | 9 | 2.6 |
Stop Results
Officer-initiated stops by stop result
Stop Result Simple | Count | Rate |
|---|---|---|
Citation For Infraction | 4,024 | 80.0 |
In Field Cite And Release | 477 | 9.5 |
Warning Verbal Or Written | 370 | 7.4 |
Two Or More Results | 77 | 1.5 |
No Action | 35 | 0.7 |
Custodial Arrest Pursuant To Outstanding Warrant | 26 | 0.5 |
Custodial Arrest Without Warrant | 15 | 0.3 |
Field Interview Card Completed | 2 | 0.0 |
Psychiatric Hold | 2 | 0.0 |
Stops resulting in use of force
Out of all people stopped during an officer-initiated stop, 99.7% of people stopped were indicated as having no instances of any use of force used towards them (5,043 total people) while 0.33% of people stopped were indicated in the data as having instances of use of force used against them (17 people). All officer-initiated incidents of use of force inflicted by Fresno PD in 2022 occurred during traffic stops.
Traffic reason offense code | Statute | Count | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
54167 | FAIL STOP VEH:XWALK/ETC | 3 | 17.6 |
54099 | NO REG:VEH/TRAILER/ETC | 2 | 11.8 |
54330 | PARKING/ETC VIO:SPEC CIRC | 2 | 11.8 |
54657 | NO REG:VEH/TRAILER/ETC | 2 | 11.8 |
54098 | FAIL STOP LINE/ETC AT RED | 1 | 5.9 |
54141 | BIKE HEADLIGHT/ETC VIOL | 1 | 5.9 |
54178 | UNSAFE LANE CHANGE/ETC | 1 | 5.9 |
54211 | LICENSE PLATE DISPLAY VIO | 1 | 5.9 |
54218 | AIDE/ABET SPEED EXHIBITN | 1 | 5.9 |
54457 | UNLAW DIRCT DRV OPR/HWY | 1 | 5.9 |
54644 | DISPLAY LIC PLATES WRONG | 1 | 5.9 |
54655 | NO HND HLD DEVICE W/DRIVE | 1 | 5.9 |
Fresno PD disproportionately inflicted use of force towards people they perceived as Latinx men in 2022. Latinx people make up 50% of the total population in Fresno City. Additionally, 17.6% of use of force incidents were towards people perceived as Asian males despite Asian people only making up ~13% of Fresno’s total population.
Perceived Race | Perceived Gender | Rate |
|---|---|---|
Latinx | Male | 47.1 |
Asian | Male | 17.6 |
Latinx | Female | 11.8 |
White | Male | 11.8 |
SSWANA | Male | 5.9 |
White | Female | 5.9 |
Stops resulting in a field interview (FI) card
Two officer-initiated stops, with a total of four people stopped, resulted solely in a field interview card being completed. All four FI cards were given to people during traffic stops.
Every individual that Fresno PD stopped and completed FI cards for in 2022 was perceived by officers as Black or Latinx. Officers also perceived three of these individuals as male and one as female.
Stops resulting in referral to US Department of Homeland Security ICE
Fresno PD reported that only one of their stops in 2022 resulted in a person being referred to ICE. The one individual referred to ICE by Fresno PD in 2022 was stopped for a traffic violation.
The one individual referred to ICE by Fresno PD in 2022 was perceived by officers as a Latinx male.
Stops that resulted in a search that yielded no contraband
In 2022, Fresno PD searched 74 people in traffic stops. Of the 74 people Fresno PD searched in traffic stops, 41 people were perceived as Latinx and 12 people were perceived as Black.
Race | Total | Count | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
Latinx | 74 | 41 | 55.4 |
Asian | 74 | 2 | 2.7 |
Black | 74 | 12 | 16.2 |
White | 74 | 19 | 25.7 |
The table below shows the rate of searches that yield contraband within each perceived racial group (also known as hit rates). We can see across all perceived racial groups that only a small number of searches yield any contraband.
Race | Total | Count | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
Latinx | 41 | 13 | 31.7 |
Black | 12 | 3 | 25.0 |
White | 19 | 2 | 10.5 |
Time spent
The following analyzes the total and percent of time Fresno PD spent on certain stops to explore potential waste in public resources. We focus on officer-initiated stops. Overall, Fresno PD spent about 74.1% of their stop time on officer-initiated stops though stops for calls for service on average took longer (56 minutes on average per call for service stop compared to 9 minutes on average for officer-initiated).
Time spent on stops by stop reason
In 2022, Fresno PD spent nearly 98% of their stop time on stops originally made for traffic violations. While each of these stops took less time on average compared to other stop types, they made up the largest share of Fresno PD’s time.
Stop Reason | Total Time | Average Time | Median Time | Percent Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Traffic violation | 45,075 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 97.8 |
Reasonable suspicion | 607 | 31.9 | 25.0 | 1.3 |
Knowledge of outstanding arrest/wanted person | 181 | 20.1 | 20.0 | 0.4 |
Consensual encounter resulting in search | 140 | 35.0 | 27.5 | 0.3 |
Parole/probation/PRCS/ mandatory supervision | 50 | 16.7 | 10.0 | 0.1 |
Two or More reasons | 20 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 0.0 |
Time spent on traffic stops by stop result
The large majority of time spent on traffic stops is spent on stops only resulting in a citation for infraction. Nearly 73% of minutes Fresno PD spent on traffic stops were on stops resulting in a citation for infraction. On average, each of these stops only takes 8 minutes.
Stop Result | Total Time | Average Time | Median Time | Percent Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Citation for Infraction | 32,701 | 8.1 | 6.0 | 72.5 |
In Field Cite and Release | 6,697 | 14.1 | 9.0 | 14.9 |
Warning Verbal or Written | 3,174 | 8.6 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
Two or more Results | 1,478 | 20.0 | 15.0 | 3.3 |
Custodial Arrest Pursuant to Outstanding Warrant | 480 | 36.9 | 30.0 | 1.1 |
Custodial Arrest without Warrant | 280 | 40.0 | 30.0 | 0.6 |
No Action | 245 | 8.2 | 6.5 | 0.5 |
Field Interview Card Completed | 20 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 0.0 |
Time spent on traffic stops by race
On average, Fresno PD spent slightly longer on traffic stops of individuals perceived as Black and Latinx (about 1 minute longer looking at the median time or quartile 3 time). Quartile 1 represents the 25th percentile of stop duration, meaning that 25% stops in that racial group took less than that specified time. Quartile 3 represents the 75th percentile of stop duration, meaning that 75% stops in that racial group took less than that specified time.
Stops of individuals perceived as White in Fresno only took 1 in 4 minutes of Fresno PD’s stop time on traffic violations.
Race | Total Time | Percent Time | Average Time | Median Time | Quartile 1 Time | Quartile 3 Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Latinx | 23,710 | 51.8 | 9.3 | 7 | 5 | 10 |
White | 11,301 | 24.7 | 8.6 | 6 | 6 | 9 |
Black | 5,558 | 12.2 | 9.9 | 7 | 5 | 10 |
SWANA/SA | 2,970 | 6.5 | 8.1 | 7 | 6 | 10 |
Asian | 1,978 | 4.3 | 9.0 | 8 | 6 | 10 |